Connect
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) - Introduce yourself and meet others
Let's talk about living with rheumatoid arthritis.
As moderator of the Autoimmune Diseases group, I noticed that several people were talking about RA, but those conversations were scattered throughout the community. I thought I would start this discussion to bring us all together in one place.
Let’s grab a cup of tea, or beverage of choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.
Connect
Yes I have. I have bone on bone in some places like my knee. I tried to get an injection in my knee to put some cartilage like substance in but there was absolutely no spot to inject it into.
I have tried everything on the market. I am very resistant to meds . So now I am on prednisone
Has this medicine done damage to your body? I am suffering with rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis (plus other medical problems).
No, I don’t get relief from medication and I don’t get side effects. In general they do nothing.
I'd be happy to connect with other people who have RA.
I developed RA in 2001 after severe psychological stress. I tried hydroxychloroquine for a year and it did nothing. I was also taking 10 mg of prednisone which helped a little. Then I was put on methotrexate and it helped. I asked permission to quit that med and was told I could but to return if I started having symptoms. Then my rheumatologist died. I was in Montana at the time and the closest rheumatologist was about 90 miles away. I took nothing for many years. Recently, I was sent to a rheumatologist (I'm in Duluth) because I had a very high sed rate but a normal CRP. I took methotrexate for a month and then COVID-19 started up and I decided I didn't want to go through a pandemic with a depressed immune system. I told my rheumatologist that I'd be back after the COVID-19 cooled down. Now I am thinking that I'll wait for a vaccine, take that, and return to my Dr. It was not the RA pain that was bothering me; it was the high inflammation marker. I am not stiff in the AM. I have had the knuckles on my right hand replaced since I couldn't fully open it.
Have your RA meds done any damage to your body? Are you taking anything right now?
If they come out with a COVID vaccine will it be a live or dead vaccine. My rheumatologist won't let me have a live vaccine fear of getting it from the vaccine because of the live virus in it.
That is certainly worth taking into consideration. Let's hope there will be a dead vaccine option.
I am afraid that they will put it on the market before they are sure it is safe. Vaccines don’t totally protect you from the disease. They only make it less likely that you will catch it.